President Museveni directs finance minister to "quickly" buy new pick-up armored vehicles for all MPs

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ordered the Minister of Finance to buy new pick-up armored vehicles for all the 453 Members of Parliament (MPs), Nile Post has learnt.

This directive from the President came shortly after his double meetings with the legislators both on the floor of Parliament and the office of the prime minister, from where the President launched a '12 point security plan' following the assassination of the Arua municipality MP, Ibrahim Abiriga.

The President, however, acknowledged that they (MPs) expressed fear having been singled out for intimidation and possibly attack which has prompted him beef up their security as the country awaits systems that will support his security plan to be effectively implemented.

In the letter that has been accessed by Nile Post, President Museveni commenced his directive by outlining the recent murders of the Moslem Sheikhs, Joan Kagezi, Army Officer Major Kigundu among others who were assassinated in more or else a similar way before going ahead to direct the immediate acquisition of a fleet of new 4 wheel drive pick ups with open carriage beds with UPDF Sharp Shooters.

" I, therefore, direct you to immediately acquire a fleet of new 4 wheel drive pick-ups with open carriage beds. Provide additional money for these vehicles quickly. The Army will use them to guard the Members of Parliament and when the new systems are put in place, these vehicles will be given to Army Officers as part of the fleet of the UPDF," the President's letter reads in part.

He went ahead to explain that the Members of Parliament will stay with their police guards who are currently doing the security, but he would only add on that with two other elements; the sharp shooters of the Army and the follow pick-ups that will be used by these sharp shooters.

" The pick ups will be protected, in simple ways, against small arms bullets. The sharp shooters, themselves should get personal body armor and helmets that are bullet resistant. Even the other Police guards should also get body protection," Museveni explained.

He however concluded with an acknowledgement that this exercise of individualising security details is a 'waste of resources, financial and man power' and the state will do away with it when the systems are installed before going ahead to re affirm that the Minister should act fast while executing this.

The question now remains on when will the Minister be implementing this and if he will use borrowed money as this was not allocated for in the National budget.